10 Things Homeowners Can Do to Prevent a Termite Infestation

If you’re a homeowner, one of the very last things you want to experience is a termite infestation. This can be especially true if you’re hoping to sell your home soon; nothing turns off potential buyers like swarms of pests and the possibility of extensive damages!

While you can’t always prevent a termite infestation (sometimes it’s just bad luck), taking these ten steps can greatly reduce the likelihood that termites view your home as a tempting snack.

Repair areas like rotting roof shingles, fascia, and soffits

Replace all weather stripping, and mortar around the foundation or basement windows

Address moisture issue around the outside of home – standing water, water around your AC unit, and so on

Repair any leaking pipes or faucets inside the home

Check your gutters and downspouts, remove clogs, and ensure that water is adequately diverted from the home

Create an 18-inch gap between soil and any wood portions of your home; wood touching dirt is an invitation to termites

Store any firewood, debris piles, and so on far away from the main structure of your home

Inspect the foundation of your home for “dirt trails”, an almost sure sign of termite activity

Schedule regular inspections with a pest control technician, and consider enrolling in a termite bond to protect your home in the future

The main thing to remember about termite infestation: This is, unfortunately, not a situation that can be remedied with any sort of “over the counter” pest control products or homemade remedies. Also, damages to your home from termites are not typically covered under homeowners insurance policies. So this is one of those issues you want to watch closely, to prevent major expense down the road.

At the first sign of a problem, address the potential termite infestation immediately, to reduce long-term damages to your home. Give us a call, and we can help you take care of the problem.